A Walk with Eternity-Chapter 33: Full utility

Cold and dark. By the time they arrived right in front of the main entrance, the sun had already set. For a town of vampires, it truly was dim. The town, however, was no small village. They had mansions and decent houses. From above the canyon, it seemed like a normal isolated town, but looking at it even from outside the entrance, one would think that they had the wrong place.

It’s wider and bigger than it seems. And more eerie than it looks.

"You mentioned that you all used to train here," Yves says as he mounts down his horse. "I’m assuming the vampires must be familiar with your faces, so why bother the Emperor for the formal request to let us in?"

"Well, we haven’t been here for nine years," Dolunay started. "Lysander himself firmly stated that the vampires need to know what business you have in their land, or else, they will refuse to let you in."

"Unless you’re Cim of course," Kian teased as he glanced over to Cimmerian who dismounted Milera’s horse. Syvestian showed confusion.

"Oh please," Cimmerian scoffed.

"Cimmerian visited this land more often than we did. He was able to investigate the tower, even when everyone believed that Lysander went out to travel, because the town keepers trust him that much." Milera explained to Syvestian, and he immediately understood.

Well, Cimmerian and Lysander showed closeness before, Yves thought to himself.

Having dismounted their horses, the group began walking toward the open entrance. However, before they could even step foot inside, a barrier suddenly kept them out.

"State your names and business," a voice of a woman rang their ears. Everyone, aside from Yves, showed confusion. They all felt cautious, glancing at each other.

Hold on... since when have they become this strict?

Kian steps up as he pulls down his hood. "I am Kian Slora. We’ve come here because of a mission assigned by His Majesty—-"

"Slora?"

Kian was cut off mid-sentence by the woman’s hostile tone, which caused more confusion from the group.

"Yes..." Kian answers with a raised brow. Now what is going on? He thought to himself and simply carried on. "His Majesty had assigned us to do the annual visits to the clan."

Annual visits were the cover up, but it’s not entirely a lie. The emperor made sure that they would have a plausible reason to visit the clan other than to check on Lysander.

Good thing I took precautions and asked Father for a message, Kian thought to himself. As he takes out the crystal from his bag. He activated the crystal and there showed the emperor’s moving and talking image.

"Greetings to the Redgridge Clan from the Imperial Family," the emperor starts with his message with a small smile. "As our long time agreement, annual visits from the Imperial Palace are a must to check on the clan’s current living conditions. For this year, although earlier than expected, my only son, Kian, has come along with his friends, instead of my external aide. I can assure you that they hold no ill intentions and have only come to fulfill their assigned duties. I am grateful for the consideration."

The message had ended. The woman on the other side was silent for a moment, making them worry.

They’re hostile right off the bat, will this work...? Kian thought to himself.

I wonder what happened to them to be extra cautious towards outsiders... Cimmerian himself was worrying. Or are they simply stricter because we’re not with Lysander?

Before they overthink any further, they felt the barrier vanish. The others sighed in relief, while Yves remained expressionless. He’s completely clueless about how nervous his companions were from this sudden tightness in the clan’s security.

Within minutes, a figure emerged from the shadows with four others following within a second. With dark clothing that barely covered their pale skin, their blood red eyes gazed sharply towards the group.

Forget rude, they’re being openly hostile with those eyes, Yves thought to himself, smirking at the audacity.

What a warm welcome, Dolunay thought in sarcasm, rolling back her eyes in annoyance. The other three remained quiet, trusting Kian to deal with the current situation.

Kian, unintimidated, beamed a smile at them. "Greetings, Town Keepers. It’s been nine years," he greeted with a polite tone. He locked eyes with the middle-aged woman who had the guts to glare daggers. This lady was Reene, and she has been the leader of the Town Keepers for as long as they could remember.

"It’s truly been a long time, Your Highness," Reene begins with a nonchalant tone. "Before we welcome you inside, may I ask for your companions to pull down their hoods?"

They were wary and cautious. It was understandable because Kian and his group were entering a foreign territory, so they didn’t hesitate to pull down their hoods to show themselves. The town keepers were then taken aback after seeing the faces of Kian’s companions.

Four of them were their Lord’s closest friends.

Milera, the half dwarf and half human girl, is now a grown woman with gentle dark eyes and honey brown hair that matches her brown skin. Ezio, the beastman, looked mature with his growing height, lean build, short orange hair, light green cat eyes, and porcelain skin, yet still smiles like a charming idiot. Cimmerian seems to barely have any change from his demeanor, he was still the same elf with long blonde hair and gentle deep green eyes, but his build certainly has changed and his skin became paler.

And this other lady... the faery, Dolunay... something must’ve happened to her to have such a drastic change like that, Reene thought to herself as she observed Dolunay, who looked completely different from the little fairy they once met. Dolunay, on the other hand, kept a fake smile on her face. Reene didn’t pay attention to it and glanced back at Kian.

And this man... Reene observed Kian from head to toe. The prince has definitely matured in their eyes. He’s grown taller, closer to Cimmerian’s height, with a more rugged body. One look and no one would think this was the same little prince who could barely hold up his long sword. But with the same black hair and piercing light hazel eyes, Kian was recognizable enough.

"...Is there an occasion that we know nothing of?" Reene asked, suspicious of the fact that Kian is with friends rather than mere imperial knights, just to visit the clan.

Kian’s expression was unfazed as he answered, "No, but I can understand why you’d think that way. It’s not a simple clan visit, we came here with our mentor who was curious about the clan’s living conditions."

I am? Yves nearly broke his expression at the lies Kian has been spouting nonstop for the past five minutes.

"Mentor?"

Oh? The change in tone caught Syvestian’s attention. It went from an unwelcoming tone to a curious one. Will they finally be interested if they learn that I’m these kids’ mentor?

Kian’s gaze relaxed. "Yes, he’s the very person who had saved all of us, including our friend, Lysander, and taught many things," he responded as he turned to Syvestian, and their gaze naturally followed. "Meet Syvestian Grimestone."

From behind Cimmerian, Syvestian stepped up to show himself completely with a small smile.

Reene expression showed baffledness.

This is... Lord Lysander’s savior and mentor...

This man was a few inches taller than her. With beautiful black hair that well contrasts his pale white skin, black eyes that pull you in like a black hole, and a charming face that keeps your eyes glued—Reene could barely form words. Reene is finding it hard to believe that this man is the same kid who saved ten children, including himself, from adult traffickers and top wanted criminals. He’s such a rare beauty...

I knew it, Cimmerian thought to himself and sighed.

They’ve been seduced, Milera thought to herself, hiding a snicker.

Yves’ face is killing people again, Ezio thought, barely holding himself back from laughing out loud.

Uh-huh, I’m not getting used to those reactions when they see Yves’ beautiful face, Dolunay thought to herself as she watched them remain speechless staring at Syvestian. She nudged Kian who seemed to be unable to contain his proud grin. You seriously plan to utilize Yves in everything all the way? Unbelievable.

Kian kept a straight face and cleared his throat. Oh, brother. If a race known for their cold beauty and extremely high standards in physical appearance is speechless at the sight of Yves, imagine the fame he would gain if he revealed that face when he was still in his teens. Many would’ve gone crazy proposing to him, all to claim his genes.

"U-Uh," Reene regained her composure, and bowed, "Our thanks have been overdue... We’re eternally grateful for saving our young lord, good sir."

Syvestian kept his smile. "Oh no, please. There’s nothing to be grateful about, I only did what I could do at that moment," he says. "For now, we’ve come quite the long way from the capital and we still have a weak patient with us, are we welcome to take a rest for a few hours?"

"Ah, y-yes! This way please!" Reene rushed. "Move it!"

"Y-Yes, madam!" Answered the other four, all rattled and stuttering.

Hah! It worked! Kian could barely contain his big grin.

I can’t believe it did, all the others thought, including Syvestian. They were in complete disbelief that Kian would actually take control of this whole situation. They simply sighed and followed along the town keepers.

Well, on the brighter side, they can finally rest properly.